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A-League review: Sydney FC in shambles, Wellington come from behind & Brisbane Roar stun Central Coast
The league leaders' loss at the hands of Brisbane Roar has blown the title race open, while the likes of the Sky Blues and Adelaide United battle to stay in top six contention
Feb 6, 2012 11:00:00 AM
By Adrian Agius
Getty
ANALYSIS
By Adrian Agius
Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets)
Brockie's inspired performance against his former employers only added to an impressive individual season for the New Zealand international. Scoring twice and threatening the disorganised Sydney FC defence throughout, the 24-year-old was instrumental in all of Newcastle's attacking play. The win moves the Jets into the top six and pushes Brockie's claim for the A-League Golden Boot; his tally is up to six goals this season.
"How we defended as a team was embarrassing"
- Vitezslav Lavicka after Sydney FC loss.
"We were sitting at dinner last night, me, Ruben [Zadkovich], Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Bridgey [Michael Bridges], and we were talking about how when you come up against your old club, more often than not, you score goals."
- Jeremy Brockie on scoring against Sydney FC.
"We can foresee many exciting opportunities ahead for the Roar and Australian football under this relationship with the Bakrie Group, which has extensive investments in football in Asia, Europe, South America and now Australia."
- Lyall Gorman on new Asia ownership of Brisbane Roar.
96 - Minute in which Ali Abbas scored Newcastle's fifth goal vs Sydney FC
15 - Unbeaten run of Central Coast Mariners that came to an end vs Brisbane Roar
20 - Age of Melbourne Heart debutant Craig Goodwin
3 – Goals scored in the first half between Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix
26,395 – fans that witnessed the 0-0 Melbourne Derby
By Adrian Agius
Results
Adelaide United 1-2 Wellington Phoenix, Central Coast Mariners 0-2 Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Heart 0-0 Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC 2-5 Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory 4-0 Gold Coast United
Round 20 of the A-League produced many talking points, with the league leaders’ 15-game unbeaten run coming to an end, Vitezslav Lavicka and Sydney FC choosing to part ways and the playing out of yet another Melbourne derby. The league-leading Mariners were downed by champions Brisbane 2-0 on Saturday in a game which says a lot about the title race.
Adelaide United 1-2 Wellington Phoenix, Central Coast Mariners 0-2 Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Heart 0-0 Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC 2-5 Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory 4-0 Gold Coast United
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| THE WEEKEND STORY |
Round 20 of the A-League produced many talking points, with the league leaders’ 15-game unbeaten run coming to an end, Vitezslav Lavicka and Sydney FC choosing to part ways and the playing out of yet another Melbourne derby. The league-leading Mariners were downed by champions Brisbane 2-0 on Saturday in a game which says a lot about the title race.
| THE STANDINGS | The top four |
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
| 1 | Central Coast |
19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 30 | 15 | +15 | 40 |
| 2 | Wellington |
20 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 29 | 22 | +7 | 33 |
| 3 | Brisbane Roar |
20 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 36 | 22 | +14 | 32 |
| 4 | Perth Glory | 20 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 30 | 25 | +5 | 31 |
| PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND |
Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets)
Brockie's inspired performance against his former employers only added to an impressive individual season for the New Zealand international. Scoring twice and threatening the disorganised Sydney FC defence throughout, the 24-year-old was instrumental in all of Newcastle's attacking play. The win moves the Jets into the top six and pushes Brockie's claim for the A-League Golden Boot; his tally is up to six goals this season.
| QUOTES OF THE WEEKEND |
"How we defended as a team was embarrassing"
- Vitezslav Lavicka after Sydney FC loss.
"We were sitting at dinner last night, me, Ruben [Zadkovich], Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Bridgey [Michael Bridges], and we were talking about how when you come up against your old club, more often than not, you score goals."
- Jeremy Brockie on scoring against Sydney FC.
"We can foresee many exciting opportunities ahead for the Roar and Australian football under this relationship with the Bakrie Group, which has extensive investments in football in Asia, Europe, South America and now Australia."
- Lyall Gorman on new Asia ownership of Brisbane Roar.
| THE NUMBERS |
96 - Minute in which Ali Abbas scored Newcastle's fifth goal vs Sydney FC
15 - Unbeaten run of Central Coast Mariners that came to an end vs Brisbane Roar
20 - Age of Melbourne Heart debutant Craig Goodwin
3 – Goals scored in the first half between Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix
26,395 – fans that witnessed the 0-0 Melbourne Derby
| PHOTO OF THE WEEKEND |
A full house at the Melbourne derby | The A-League's showpiece event
For all the latest news and features on Asian football, follow goal_asia on Twitter
You can watch the Australian top flight LIVE on A-LeagueTV, including fixtures from the upcoming round next weekend
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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